A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, leaving a devastating trail of destruction and tragedy across Southeast Asia. According to an official statement from Myanmar’s military junta, the confirmed death toll has surged to 1,002, while 2,376 people have been injured. The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, amplifying its deadly impact and triggering widespread panic and damage across the region.

In Myanmar, the earthquake wreaked havoc across multiple regions. Historic landmarks, residential buildings, government facilities, and critical infrastructure were severely affected. The iconic Ma Soe Yane Monastery collapsed, while sections of the royal palace in Naypyidaw were badly damaged. A 90-year-old bridge in Sagaing crumbled under the tremors, and parts of the Mandalay-Yangon highway were rendered unusable. Reports also confirm a dam burst, leading to flooding in surrounding villages and compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, in Bangkok, the Thai capital felt the quake’s powerful tremors, resulting in a tragic collapse of a 33-storey building under construction. At least eight people lost their lives, and over 117 remain missing, trapped beneath the rubble. The Thai government has since declared Bangkok a disaster zone, shutting down transit systems and mobilizing emergency services to respond to the crisis. Sirens wailed throughout the city as emergency personnel pulled survivors from debris while fearful residents flooded the streets.

Eye-witness accounts from across the region paint a terrifying picture. In Mandalay, videos show monks filming their monastery moments before it fell. In Bangkok, terrified citizens scrambled out of skyscrapers, malls, and offices. “It felt like the ground was breathing—everything moved,” recalled one witness. Social media is flooded with footage of cracked buildings, damaged roads, and water spilling from rooftop pools as chaos unfolded in real time.

In a nationally televised address, General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar’s ruling military declared a state of emergency in the most severely affected areas. He extended a public appeal to the international community for humanitarian assistance, warning that the casualty numbers could rise further without immediate aid. Hospitals are overwhelmed, rescue workers are stretched thin, and damaged infrastructure is making relief efforts increasingly difficult.

The earthquake has triggered a surge in global concern and support, with trending search terms like “Myanmar Thailand earthquake today,” “Bangkok earthquake live news,” “7.7 magnitude quake Asia,” and “Myanmar earthquake casualties” flooding Google. International aid organizations and neighboring countries are preparing to deploy emergency teams and relief supplies to the affected zones.

This catastrophic event has once again highlighted the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Experts emphasize the urgent need for earthquake-resistant infrastructure, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness plans, especially in densely populated cities like Mandalay and Bangkok. The road to recovery will be long, but with coordinated efforts and global solidarity, rebuilding is possible.

Stay tuned newsdailyupdates for more updates.

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